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DiMarco Charges Into a Tie for Lead

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From Associated Press

On a day when nearly everyone made a charge, Chris DiMarco had one of the best.

DiMarco shot his way into a share of the third-round lead in the FBR Open on Saturday at the TPC of Scottsdale, Ariz., shooting a seven-under-par 64 to join Jonathan Kaye at 14-under 199.

Kaye shot a 66, making five birdies on the back nine, and second-round leader Phil Mickelson was one shot behind after a 68.

The leaderboard for today’s final round will be packed with crowd favorites -- DiMarco (2002), Mickelson (1996) and Vijay Singh (1995 and 2003) are former Phoenix Open champions -- and international stars such as Mike Weir, Bernhard Langer and Sergio Garcia.

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Langer (66), Justin Leonard (66), Weir (68) and Ricky Barnes (68) were three shots behind at 202, with Singh, Garcia, Steve Flesch, Fredrik Jacobson and first-round leader Scott Verplank at 203.

Leonard, who was one over after 12 holes, tied the tournament record by making birdies on the last six holes.

Singh charged into contention with a 63 -- matching the best round of this tournament and his winning score in the fourth round last year.

Singh had eight birdies to move within range of his 11th consecutive top-10 finish, the most since Greg Norman’s 11 in 1993-94.

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Tom Watson won the Champions Skins Game at Wailea Golf Club on Maui, taking the final five skins and $260,000 with a par on the third hole of a playoff.

Arnold Palmer was second with five skins and $140,000. Jack Nicklaus made $60,000 with three skins. Defending champion Lee Trevino was shut out.

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Saturday’s gallery was estimated at 4,000, double Friday’s crowd. One of the biggest draws was 14-year-old Michelle Wie, who played in Nicklaus’ group in the pro-am.

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Thomas Bjorn shot a two-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over Miguel Angel Jimenez after three rounds of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok.

Bjorn had one bogey, on the 13th hole, and was at 14-under 202 with one round left. Jimenez shot a 67.

Defending champion Ernie Els missed an easy putt on the final hole and finished with a 69, leaving him at 206.

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